F.A. Trophy Semi-Final 1st Leg
Match Sponsor: THE SQUARE FRIENDS OF JOHN DODWELL
Torquay United 2 York City 0
The Gulls will take a two goal lead into the second leg of the F.A. Trophy after a hard fought win at Plainmoor.
Martin Rice was given the nod in goal and Danny Stevens returned to the starting line-up. Steve Adams failed a fitness test earlier in the day so Matt Hockley retained his midfield role alongside captain Chris Hargreaves.
United started brightly and were on the front foot from the off. Chris Zebroski was booked in the 2nd minute for a foul on Purkiss as United tried to close down the York wing backs as quickly as possible. Last Monday against Aldershot it was the visitors who took an early lead, tonight it was United who got off to the perfect start; Zebroski, Hockley and Danny Stevens were all involved before Lee Mansell slipped a neat pass to Lee Phillips' feet, the Gulls striker turned well before hitting a cross that evaded Evans in the York goal and left Tim Sills alone at the far post. Tim slid in and bundled the ball over the line with what we will call his 'lower abdomen' to give United the lead.
Both sides were up for a physical battle and at times the football wasn't of the highest quality but the commitment, so close to a Wembley final, was always going to be 100%. York were not without possession of their own which at times forced the United defence into some last ditch blocks and tackles and although the visitors were having more frequent attempts at Martin Rice's there was little in the first half to trouble the Gulls 'keeper. A perfect through ball from Kevin Nicholson in the 23rd minute released Lee Phillips who neatly flicked the ball past the advancing Evans but Kelly got back to clear for a corner. A few minutes later and there was a scuffle in the United penalty area after a corner but the referee stepped in and the handbags were put away! Just before the break Tim Sills had a decent chance to double the lead when he was first with a header at the near post from a Lee Mansell cross but the ball went wide of Evans' left post.
United couldn't have got off to a better start in the second half. Lee Phillips scored a tap in just 45 seconds after the restart; Chris Todd managed to get a touch on a Nicholson free-kick from the left and the Gulls forward was unmarked at the near post and a yard out and couldn't miss. Whatever York's game plan was they were forced to change it now. A couple of quick substitutions gave them some fresh impetus and Woolford was a threat for most of the match as York threatened but couldn't quite unlock the United defence. Martin Rice was beaten just before the hour mark when, after a corner was cleared to the edge of the area, Elliott hit a rising shot that hit the crossbar and bounced clear. A let off for United and a wake up call, if one was needed, that the tie is still in the balance. Torquay's best chance to make it 3-0 fell to Danny Stevens in the 68th minute; a lovely touch by Phillips set Stevens free and after a strong run he hit good shot from the right of the area but Evans tipped the ball away for a corner. Ten minutes later and Stevens was in a similar position but hit a weak shot when he had options outside him. Evans had to be at his best with ten minutes to go after Kevin Nicholson hit a free kick lay off from Mansell low to the York 'keeper's right but he tipped the ball round the post for another corner. There was an injury scare in the dying minutes when Tim Sills and Dan Parslow both went in hard but fairly for the ball and both picked up knocks. Tim came off for treatment but returned to the action seemed to run off any problem.
The last chance of the match fell to York; substitute Sodje made a near post run to latch onto a cross from the right and managed to sky the ball over the away end when he should have done much better, a telling miss? We will have to wait and see. Not a classic match but the result gives Paul Buckle's side a strong chance of making the Trophy final. It's safe to say that the 'kitchen sink' will be thrown at United next week at York and as the saying goes -'We are only at the half way point'. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, there is the small matter of an away trip on Tuesday to Halifax to contest an important Blue Square Premier match. The rollercoaster ride hasn't finished yet!
Match Facts:
United- Rice; Mansell, Todd, Ellis, Nicholson, Stevens, Hockley, Hargreaves (c), Zebroski (Mohamed 84), Phillips, Sills. Subs not used - Robertson, Mullings, Dsane, Andersen (gk).
York City- Evans; Elliott (Duncum 62), McGurk, Parslow, Panther (c), Farrell (Brodie 70), Woolford, Rowe, Purkiss, Lloyd, Kelly (Sodje 51). Subs not used - Craddock, Mimms.
Goals:
United - Sills 5, Phillips 46
Yellow Cards - Zebroski 2
Attendance : 2286
